Monthly household budget calculator
Fill in your take-home pay and monthly spending. See what is left over and how your split compares with the 50/30/20 guide.
Runs only on the figures you enter. Nothing you type leaves your browser.
Your details
Left over each month
R2 300.00
Spending R32 700 of R35 000
How we worked it out
- Take-home incomeR35 000.00
- Needs (housing, food, transport, utilities, debt)R26 200.00
75% of income; guide 50%
- Wants (eating out, data, subscriptions, leisure)R3 500.00
10% of income; guide 30%
- Savings and extra debt paymentsR3 000.00
9% of income; guide 20%
- Left overR2 300.00
- Needs take more than 60% of income. That is common in South Africa, but it leaves little room for shocks.
- Try to save at least 10% of take-home pay, even in small steps.
Getting started
- Use three months of bank statements to find your real averages.
- Count annual costs (licence discs, school uniforms, insurance excesses) as a monthly amount: divide by 12.
- Build an emergency fund first: aim for three months of needs over time.
Frequently asked questions
What is the 50/30/20 rule?
A simple guide: about 50% of take-home pay on needs, 30% on wants and 20% on savings and extra debt repayments. It is a rule of thumb, not an official standard.
My needs are more than 50%. Is that bad?
It is common in South Africa, where housing, transport and supporting family take a big share. Use the split to see where you have room to move, not as a pass or fail.
Is my budget saved?
No. Nothing is stored or sent anywhere. Use Share or Print to keep a copy; the share link holds your figures, so only share it with people you trust.